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Knoxville, TN Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Barbed wire near sidewalk
Banned under 7 feet
Electric fences
Banned citywide by default
Goat-grazing exception
Temporary solar fence, 12V max
Storage-yard exception
Permitted electric security fence only

Summary

Knoxville bans barbed-wire or spiked fences near sidewalks unless the barbs sit seven feet up, and prohibits electrified fences citywide except for permitted temporary goat-grazing fences and permitted outdoor-storage security fencing.

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to erect along or adjacent to any sidewalk in the city any barbed wire fence or any fence containing spikes, unless the height of the barbed wire or spikes is seven (7) feet or greater. (b) It shall be unlawful for any person to erect, construct or maintain in the city any fence or obstruction charged with electricity except for the following uses:

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 80).

Full Breakdown

City Code § 19-100(a) makes it unlawful to erect a barbed wire or spiked fence along or next to a city sidewalk unless the barbs or spikes sit at least seven feet off the ground. Subsection (b) goes further, banning any fence or obstruction charged with electricity anywhere in the city: the only exceptions are a temporary, solar-powered electric fence for permitted goat grazing under § 5-108, and a permitted electric security fence around an outdoor storage area that complies with the zoning code, appendix B. Every permitted electric fence still must meet height, signage, and disconnect-switch requirements set out later in the same section.

Violations & Fines

Erecting a low barbed-wire or spiked fence near a sidewalk, or any electrified fence outside the two permitted exceptions, is unlawful under § 19-100 and enforceable under the Code's general penalty section.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put up a barbed wire fence in Knoxville?
Only if it's not along or next to a sidewalk, or the barbed wire/spikes are at least seven feet high, per City Code § 19-100(a).
Are electric fences legal in Knoxville?
Generally no. § 19-100(b) bans them citywide except for a permitted temporary goat-grazing fence or a permitted electric security fence in an approved outdoor storage area.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Knoxville

Parking Rules: Overnight ParkingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsHeight LimitsSome RestrictionsFence Permit RequirementsSome RestrictionsRetaining WallsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Leaf Blower RulesLight RestrictionsParking Rules: Towing & Impound RightsSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Curb Color RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSome Restrictions

All Knoxville rules

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